Saudi Arabia, UAE seek $10.8 billion in US weapons

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates 
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates say they seeking $10.8 billion in advanced U.S.-made missiles and other weapons as part of bids by Western-allied Gulf states to stay ahead of claimed military strides by rival Iran.

Gulf nations regularly spend billions of dollars on U.S. military equipment and upgrades amid lingering regional tensions with Iran, which often conducts major military exercises and claims to have made advances in drone technology and other areas.

Notifications posted late Tuesday on a Pentagon website say Saudi Arabia is seeking to purchase $6.8 billion in missiles, bombs, launch systems and other ordnance. The UAE is seeking approval for a similar ordered estimated at $4 billion.